Get a “Taste of Europe” and sample some of Western Europe’s best-loved areas, including England, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, and France. You’ll visit the main cities: Amsterdam, Lucerne, and Paris—and you’ll also behold fascinating scenery and cruise scenic waterways. In Amsterdam, hear about its 165 canals with a total length of 100 kms (62 miles). As such an integral part of the city, you’ll enjoy a canal cruise to appreciate Amsterdam from the waterways. Experience the wonder of a cruise on the Rhine—with its scenic countryside, historical castles, and charming villages. See the Lorelei rock and hear its legend about a distraught maiden who sat on the rock combing her long golden hair and luring passing navigators to their death. Dip into the Swiss Alps and discover Lucerne with its iconic Chapel Bridge. And finally, experience the “grandeur” of Paris and its special atmosphere before returning to London by Eurostar train for an additional overnight stay. Breakfast is included daily, and most days, you’ll have the opportunity to venture out and try local cuisine. Sample a pint of bitter in a local British pub, savor French wines in the Parisian cafés, and taste the local beer in Germany.

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Itinerary

Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.

Day 1 Arrive in London, England

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you may want to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London

A full day to savor our rich program of optional activities: take a panoramic tour of London’s landmarks, visit the Tower of London, or choose an excursion to Windsor Castle. Tonight, maybe a leisurely cruise on the Thames River?

Breakfast

Day 3 London–Amsterdam Area, Holland

Leave London in the early morning and head through the lush English countryside to the Channel port, where you board your FERRY for the Continent. Here, your Tour Director and coach wait to take you to the Amsterdam area.

Breakfast

Day 4 Amsterdam

Today, enjoy a CANAL CRUISE to see the city from water level, then watch the cutting and polishing of precious stones at a DIAMOND CENTER in Amsterdam. Later, sightseeing with a Local Guide points out the city highlights.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 Amsterdam Area–Rhineland, Germany

Another morning in Amsterdam to do as you please, or to discover the beautiful Dutch countryside on an optional excursion. Later, travel southwards into the lovely landscape of the Rhine, where you will spend one night.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 6 Rhineland–Rhine Cruise–Lucerne Area, Switzerland

Start the day with an included RHINE CRUISE to see some legendary sights, including the Lorelei rock. Rejoin the coach for a comfortable drive southwards to the Swiss border at Basel. The scenery becomes more and more fascinating as you approach the Lucerne area for two overnights.

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 Lucerne Area

One of Switzerland’s finest cities, Lucerne is nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the Reuss River. Your visit takes in the impressive city walls, CHAPEL BRIDGE, ornate patrician houses lining cobblestone streets, and the LION MONUMENT—a masterful stone sculpture in honor of the heroic Swiss Guard of Louis XVI. A grand selection of optional activities completes the day: a cable-car ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Titlis; a cruise on the fjord-like lake; and, of course, time to shop for that very Swiss watch.

Breakfast

Day 8 Lucerne Area–Paris, France

Enjoy vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers. Then, head into France on the fast highway, past some of its most famous vineyards, to Paris. Arrive in time to enjoy the optional cabaret show.

Breakfast

Day 9 Paris

One full day to explore the city that’s known throughout the world for its fashions, art and museums, delicious food, and joie de vivre. Included sightseeing with a local expert shows off many of the best-known Parisian sights: La Sorbonne, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramid near the Louvre, the Invalides, and Champs Elysées. Optional excursions are also available. Celebrate the success of your tour with an optional French farewell dinner.

Breakfast

Day 10 Paris–London, England

Relax on your EUROSTAR journey back to London.

Breakfast

Day 11 London

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

LEO ZAAL

Escorting tours for more than 10 years

Years of Experience: 11

“I've lived in several countries, so it's my pleasure to introduce you to "My Europe." You'll become familiar with the diversity of breathtaking scenery, as well as the fascinating culture, history, architecture, and cuisine. It's my aim to provide you an enjoyable, informative, hassle-free, memorable, and satisfying travel experience.”

Accommodations

LONDON Novotel London West (F)AMSTERDAM AREA NH Airport (F) at Schiphol or Holiday Inn Express Arena (ST)RHINELAND Mercure Köln West (ST) or Avendi (F) at Bad HonnefLUCERNE AREA Royal (ST) or Ibis (ST) at Kriens or Drei Könige (ST) or Ibis Styles (ST)PARIS Timhotel Berthier (ST) or Ibis La Villette (ST)

Optional Excursions

The following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These optional excursions might or might not be offered. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.

Amsterdam

Lucerne

Paris

Amsterdam

Amsterdam at Night

An evening excursion with a local guide will show you the lights of Amsterdam. After a short orientation drive to see parts of the city you will disembark from the coach and proceed on foot through one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city - the "Red Light" district - which no doubt you have heard many things about. Walk through its long winding narrow, cobbled streets with its charming 14th century architecture. One cannot but help to admire the old buildings that lean at odd angles and the tree-enshrouded canals. The local guide will introduce you to this fascinating area and during the walk you will stop at one the "brown cafes" for a drink before rejoining the coach to return back to the hotel. Note that this excursion is not suitable for children under 15 years old.

Approximate value: 25 EUR per person

Volendam & Zaans Schans

On this half day tour ancient times will come to life! After departing from Amsterdam a stop will be made first in the old fishing town of Volendam, where you will have a bit of time to stroll through the center seeing the typical Dutch architecture. Then continue on the drive to the idyllic and picturesque village of Zaanse Schans. This is more an open-air museum created to show visitors what life was like in the "Zaanstreek" in the 17th and 18th centuries. This was one of the first industrial areas of the world with its windmills engaged in the production of linseed oil, paint, mustard and woodworking etc. There are plenty of typical Dutch things to see and photograph including working windmills, clog and cheese making demonstrations, typical houses and shops selling Dutch produce. At the end of this fascinating visit drive back to Amsterdam.

Approximate value: 20 EUR per person

Lucerne

Engelberg Only

Spend a few hours in this panoramic village very famous winter sport center of Central Switzerland at the foot of Mount Titlis. In Engelberg which is also a charming village you can take a walk or you can shop in the bazaars and enjoy traditional Swiss cuisine in a typical restaurant

Approximate value: 40 EUR per person

Mount Titlis

Drive to Alpine Engelberg - very famous sport center of Central Switzerland - to take the Titlis-Rotair, the world's first revolving cable car, up to 10,000 feet where eternal snow resists even the summer sun. A panoramic view all the way up with 360 degree vistas of glaciers and icefalls. On top of Mount Titlis there is a Restaurant with a nice terrace and a solarium from which you can also enjoy an enchanting view.

Approximate value: 85 EUR per person

Scenic Lake Cruise

An hour's guided cruise on the most beautiful lake in Switzerland gives you an introduction to this lovely city from a completely different aspect. With its many bays, it offers superb panoramas of the surrounding landscape. The cruise is operated on a comfortable private covered boat and a commentary will be given by one of the crew staff who will explain the history of all the enchanting villages and you will learn some interesting stories of the Swiss History.

Approximate value: 30 EUR per person

The Titlis Ice Flyer

An extension to the Mount Titlis excursion, the Ice Flyer is a chair lift, specially equipped to protect from wind, snow and rain. The 2,460 foot journey lasts six minutes and you can enjoy an absolutely unique and unforgettable ride.

Approximate value: 10 EUR per person

Paris

Cabaret Show

A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to one of the famous Parisian Cabaret to enjoy an enchanting night. Whilst you see a colorful costume and decor show of music and dances, you will be served a glass of champagne to fully enjoy your evening. This excursion is not operated as a private charter which means you may join others on the same tour which may require picking up and dropping off at several hotels.

Approximate value: 80 EUR per person

Farewell Dinner & Orientation

Tonight you will have the opportunity to taste some delicious specialties of the French cuisine. In a Parisian restaurant with a fascinating atmosphere you will enjoy a four-course dinner with an aperitif and wine. Some music will enliven the evening. An orientation drive of Paris will also be part of this special night

Approximate value: 60 EUR per person

Montparnasse Tower & Cruise

Board the famous Parisian Bateaux at Port de la Bourdonnais; relax and enjoy a guided one hour cruise La Promenade. Whilst proceeding along the Seine, you will enjoy a different spectacular concept of Paris. Before or after the cruise - depending on the schedule - you will ascend the Montparnasse Tower by taking the fastest lift in Europe to enjoy a 360° panoramic enchanting view of the city. Again Paris will be seen from a different side.

Approximate value: 40 EUR per person

Versailles Sun King's Palace (Sat-Sun-Tue)

Week-end visit: Historic Versailles is the beautiful, restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace where you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent internal decorations, furniture and huge shining chandeliers, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues.

Approximate value: 65 EUR per person

Versailles-Sun King's Palace

Historic Versailles is the beautiful, restored palace of Louis XIV, the Sun King. After the guided tour of the palace where you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent internal decorations, furniture and huge shining chandeliers, you can stroll in the magnificent terraced gardens with their fountains and statues. The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Mondays.

Approximate value: 60 EUR per person

Know Before You Go

These Know Before You Go travel tips are designed with you in mind, with helpful hints to help you prepare for and enjoy your escorted vacation. They are your guide to getting ready and contain general information on travel documentation, customs, and the country/countries you will be visiting, including budgeting, transportation, climate, languages, and much more. With Globus, you benefit from our experience.

* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).